The convicted drug dealer John Gilligan has been handed a suspended prison sentence in a Spanish court on drug smuggling charges.
Lawyers for the 71-year-old confirmed a plea bargain had been struck with prosecutors.
John Gilligan appeared before Torrevieja Criminal Court accused of smuggling cannabis and powerful sleeping pills into Ireland.
He was also accused of being the owner of a gun found in the back garden of his Costa Blanca home.
He was warned he faced more than eight years in prison, but lawyers reached a deal with prosecutors.
Mr Gilligan will instead face no time behind bars – as he was handed a 22-month suspended sentence and a 14 thousand euro fine.
When asked by the judge if he accepted the deal, Mr Gilligan replied through a translator, “Yes, I am guilty.“
